Now the dust has settled where does the Lakers trades from last week leave them in their 2018 offseason pursuit of Lebron? Off top helping the Cavs remake their roster doesnt seem too smart when they were in such a rut.

Can't say Ive watched many Laker games this season to know where they are at.... Obviously IT is an expiring contract but were Nance and Clarkson not an important part of their core?

Now the dust has settled where does the Lakers trades from last week leave them in their 2018 offseason pursuit of Lebron? Off top helping the Cavs remake their roster doesnt seem too smart when they were in such a rut.

Can't say Ive watched many Laker games this season to know where they are at.... Obviously IT is an expiring contract but were Nance and Clarkson not an important part of their core?

The Lakers have the cap room to offer 2 max contracts to free agents now (assuming they don't resign Thomas) and I guess they figure they'd need someone else (PG being the obvious choice) to sign in order to make it a halfway desirable destination for LeBron.

But the Cavs did well out of that - they've made it so James is more likely to stay and softened the blow if he does leave.

Now the dust has settled where does the Lakers trades from last week leave them in their 2018 offseason pursuit of Lebron? Off top helping the Cavs remake their roster doesnt seem too smart when they were in such a rut.

Can't say Ive watched many Laker games this season to know where they are at.... Obviously IT is an expiring contract but were Nance and Clarkson not an important part of their core?

I've watched a lot of Lakers game this year. They've been a fun team to watch. Prior to the trade, the Lakers had a lot of young talent but no veterans to saddle beside them and bring them through.

Clarkson being traded was predicted a few weeks ago. Here's an analysis from a few weeks ago of the Lakers young roster.

Even before the trades I had Cavs as favs in the East as I will believe it when I see it in regards to lebron losing a 7 games series in the East. Based on their demolition job on the Celtics and playing a competent defense against OKC (as opposed to last time) convinces me the Cavs ship has been re steadied, how they chug along will remain to be seen but I definitely expect them to dominate the east yet again and that soley due to them having lebron still. Whether they are real contenders for a championship remains to be seen.

Doesn't change the fact that lebron and Dan Gilbert still have a toxic and dysfunctional relationship. Be interesting to see how things pan out in the off season, no way lebron will stay at cavs in my opinion and that due to the relatuonship.

Warriors still the favourites overall let alone in the west, but at least some interesting dynamics now leading into playoffs so will be some fun watching. I think rockets will push the warriors barring another Harden melt down when pressure on but am still not convinced rockets will beat warriors. I expect warriors defense will shut them down and rattle them and provoke forced errors.

Has been good to see the new roster at the cavs. I want to see how they handle things when under pressure but based on their workrate and enthusiasm it is a good turn around in defense.

But the Cavs did well out of that - they've made it so James is more likely to stay and softened the blow if he does leave.

Agreed, Cavs have cleaned house and covered their bases.

Not sure if anyone was watching the Nuggets-Bucks game earlier but Jokic was ridiculous, had a first half triple double. Fastest in NBA history apparently. I've developed a soft spot for this Nuggets team..... Love their fast paced playing style and always thought Malone got a raw deal with the Kings. Likeable, fun, under the radar team imo.

Not sure if anyone was watching the Nuggets-Bucks game earlier but Jokic was ridiculous, had a first half triple double. Fastest in NBA history apparently. I've developed a soft spot for this Nuggets team..... Love their fast paced playing style and always thought Malone got a raw deal with the Kings. Likeable, fun, under the radar team imo.

I like them. They've done damn well (or got super lucky) to rebuild over the last few years without ever tanking

Jokic, Harris and Murray are a pretty good young core to build around considering they were drafted 41st, 19th and 7th respectively (they whiffed on Mudiay but that draft was shit)

Also, I realise he gets no exposure in the smallest market, but if Jrue doesn't get some All-Defence votes this year I'll be really cheesed off. He's been clutch on both ends of the court lately too (it's great to finally have him at 100%, although that is seriously tempting the mockers this season...)

If the NBA was smart (though to be fair they're probably the best ran league in America at the moment), they would seriously consider cutting back on the number of games.

Other leagues aren't nearly as physically demanding, their games are 8 minutes shorter, and yet most elite players overseas are topping out at 60-70 games a year. Sergio Llull played a career high 1,861 minutes in 2013-14 (domestic and Euroleague only, not counting time spent with the Spanish national team); Jimmy Butler has played more than 2,000 minutes every season of his career after his rookie year (not counting playoffs and national team duty).

As a side note, Lebron (counting playoffs) has had close to 4,000 multiple times

Geez, I just had a look at where the Pelicans are sitting on the table, and I note that there are only 4 1/2 games between 3rd and 10th places on the Western Conference.

Yea I always just compare the L column, as they haven't played the same number of games, and everyone is pretty much even with 26 losses

It's been horribly close all season. The Wolves got some separation as they played a bunch more games, now everyone is catching up again. The Jazz and Clippers need to just calm down and embrace the tank

If the NBA was smart (though to be fair they're probably the best ran league in America at the moment), they would seriously consider cutting back on the number of games.

Other leagues aren't nearly as physically demanding, their games are 8 minutes shorter, and yet most elite players overseas are topping out at 60-70 games a year. Sergio Llull played a career high 1,861 minutes in 2013-14 (domestic and Euroleague only, not counting time spent with the Spanish national team); Jimmy Butler has played more than 2,000 minutes every season of his career after his rookie year (not counting playoffs and national team duty).

As a side note, Lebron (counting playoffs) has had close to 4,000 multiple times

Bron is a cyborg - he doesn't count.

I agree that the NBA should cut down on games. 65 feels about right. However, that means a lot less money, so it's going to take awhile for any real change to occur...